Another day, another overtime or shootout loss for the Los Angeles Kings (19-16-12) and head coach Jim Hiller in the Pacific Division yesterday night (Jan. 16) vs. the Anaheim Ducks (23-21-3) on home ice in the front end of back-to-back games in a home-and-home series between these two teams this weekend at Crypto.com Arena.
Goals from Joel Armia and Quinton Byfield only earn the Los Angeles Kings one point in the standings in the Pacific Division vs. Anaheim this weekend
The Kings were able to get a quick 2-0 lead on the scoreboard yesterday, behind nice goals in the first and second periods from forwards Quinton Byfield and Joel Armia to give LA momentum on the ice vs. Anaheim. Byfield registered the game's first goal on an odd-man rush snipe past Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal in the opening frame in the first period.
Armia also scored a goal in his return to the active roster lineup yesterday for the Kings in the middle frame in the second period.
But the lead started to slip away from the Kings later in the second period in the middle frame. The Ducks scored two quick goals in under four minutes to tie the game up on the scoreboard. Mason McTavish scored the game-winning shootout goal for the Ducks for the 3-2 win.
Byfield and Armia gave their reactions to the media yesterday after the crushing loss in a shootout to the Ducks at Crypto Arena by a score of 3-2 in the Pacific Division.
Despite Armia and Byfield giving the Kings two important goals in the game's first half in the first and second periods yesterday, the team still struggled to keep a lead on the scoreboard in the middle frame in the second period vs. Anaheim.
Here's a look at everything Armia and Byfield said to the media postgame following the Kings' second and third period collapse in a tough 3-2 shootout loss to the Ducks on home ice on Jan. 16.
Quinton Byfield
On how the game shifted for the Kings on the scoreboard and on the ice vs. Anaheim offensively
"We were shooting the puck, breaking the puck out clean, putting it behind them and making their D turn, not giving them much. Then, we just gave them some life back and they started taking it to us a bit."
On losing the 2-0 lead on the scoreboard yesterday in the second period vs. Anaheim at home
"Being up 2-0 and giving that back, it’s not good. I feel like last year we were a lot better at shutting those down and that’s something that we’ve got to improve on, especially with two divisional opponents recently. Even just the extra point in overtime, shootout, those are big points too, so definitely want to get those."
On the difficulties for the Kings holding onto leads in the second period this regular season this year
"There might not be just one thing, but just even for myself, I started making some turnovers, giving them some odd-man rushes, starting to get on the wrong side of the puck at times. When you’re up two, you feel a little bit better and try more stuff. So, just kind of stick to how we got that two-goal lead and keep going with that."
On the impact Joel Armia had on the game for the Kings yesterday offensively
"Obviously, super happy to get him this year and he's been amazing, not just on the ice, but off the ice as well. So, big piece get back for the penalty kill, the power play, everything and he does everything out there. Excited to have him back on my line."
On the goal he scored in the first period vs. Anaheim
"It was a good play by Army. I was looking for the pass the whole time, I didn’t really see the option and I have my shot, just wanted to take that one on."
Joel Armia
On how he felt playing for the Kings in his first game back from the injury vs. Anaheim
"It was a lot of fun to be back. Obviously, sucks that we didn't win the game, but yeah, I had a lot of fun. I think my line played really well tonight. I think the whole team played really well. So it's frustrating that we didn't get the win."
On the team's difficulties holding leads in the West recently for the Kings
"It's tough to say. Every game is different, and I think that we've been on the wrong side of the luck sometimes. It's frustrating, but we just got to stay cool here and focus on the next game and go win it."
On what he's seen from Taylor Ward and Andre Lee recently for the Kings offensively
"They played really well. The pass to my goal is beautiful. He's been great. Wardo's been great. It's exciting to see those young guys come in and be ready to play right away."
On where he feels like he's best in the active roster lineup for the Kings
"I like to play everywhere. That's it."